Adobe Illustrator: Create a Quick & Easy Unique Illustration

Learn how to make an original illustration step by step from scratch in Adobe Illustrator for the web, video, and print.

Created byKristen Palana

Last updated 2/2026

English

What you'll learn

Create powerful illustrations in minutes using Illustrator or any similar program (Photoshop, GIMP, Painter, etc) using simple techniques and basic principles.
Understand image creation best practices regarding copyrights and using free stock images, original photos, and royalty-free images.
Develop the ability to make illustrations that can be used online, in videos, or for print, even if you CAN'T DRAW.
Make unique and inexpensive illustrated gifts for friends and family.
Save and make money creating your own illustrations for yourself and others.
Avoid headaches if and when you lose your work by learning the proper way to save your files.

Course content

5 sections • 23 lectures • 1h 26m total length

Welcome! Introduction to this Beginner Illustrating in Adobe Illustrator Course.2:08
Welcome to this course. Learn about what we'll cover and how easy it is to get started making original illustrations right away even if you don't think of yourself as someone who can draw.
Is This The Right Course For You? How To Get The Most Out of This Course2:06
I'm so glad you are taking this course! A warm welcome.
Before we get started, please make sure you've chosen the right course for your goals, skill-level, learning style, and personality type. Why is this important? Because I want you to be happy and I want you to get the most value for your time and money. So making sure this is the right course for you is the first step. :-)
What do you Need to Start This Course?3:12
This is a lesson from my Illustration with Gimp Course. However, regardless of which imaging program you are using (Photoshop, Illustrator, Gimp, etc), what you need to get started drawing on the computer remains the same.
In this lesson I'll tell you what you need or may want to have before taking this course.
New to Adobe Illustrator? Here's the Crash Course to Get You Started.5:37
In this lesson we'll take a look at the most common Illustrator windows and tools, learn more about Illustrator and why it's different than Photoshop, and how to get started drawing and setting up a new file.

How to Get an Original Photo and More About The Techniques We Use In This Course7:14
Before we get started drawing, first we'll need to find a photo to use as a guide. You CAN'T just draw over someone else's copyrighted photo. You should use your own original photo or a royalty free photo where you will have permission from the author to use their work. I'll show you places you can find free images that are copyright free for your projects. I'll also explain a bit more about how we will develop your illustration skills by using a photo first as a guide and how this fits with hundreds of years of art school training tradition.
Pit Stop. Why Using Layers Will Up Your Art-Making Game x10002:09
In this lesson, I explain why layers are cool and useful and why they will rock your artistic world the more you use them.
Illustrator Basics and Copyright Issues Quiz

Placing Your Photo as a Guide in Illustrator3:20
In this lesson I'll show you how to place your Photo in Illustrator, lock it down, and have it set up so you can begin drawing.
Setting Up Your Brush and Making a "Drawing" Layer in Illustrator3:40
In this lesson we'll set up a new layer for our black and white line drawing. I'll also explain a bit about the brush tool and settings so you won't get the usual "Illustrator Newbie" headache when first trying to draw.
Draw the Black and White Line Drawing in Illustrator3:28
In this lesson I'll show you how easy it is to make your black and white line drawing. You can draw with a mouse or use a stylus tablet like the one I use from Wacom.
Pause Here to Learn How to Save Properly and Save Yourself Pain and Suffering3:44
Skip this lesson at your own later peril. If you take a few minutes to learn how to save your files properly (in many locations and under different names VERY often) you will save yourself from losing all your work. Bad things happen to good people on computers, so make sure you always have a safety net.
Adding Color: Option #1. Coloring With the Brush Tools in Illustrator3:57
In this first coloring option, I'll show you how to easily add color using Illustrator's brush tools and a new layer under your black and white drawing layer.
Adding Color: Option #2. Use The Live Paint Bucket Tool in Illustrator3:17
This lesson will show you how to use the Live Paint Bucket Tool as an option for coloring in your drawing.
Adding Color: Option #3. Cheat and Go Color It In Photoshop4:43
This lesson will show you a third way to color in your drawing that some people find to be the easiest way. I'll show you how to save your file so you can bring it into Photoshop and color it there using the paint bucket and brush tools.
Saving a Final Web Version in Illustrator3:43
Learn how to save a final version for the web in Illustrator and how it can be really useful to have multiple versions of your drawing for both print and the web.
**Please note: In the newest versions of both Illustrator and Photoshop, you can find "Save For Web" under: File-> Export-> Save For Web (Legacy)
Saving a Final Web Version in Adobe Photoshop2:08
Learn how to save your final drawing for the web in Photoshop.
**Please note: In the newest versions of both Illustrator and
Photoshop, you can find "Save For Web" under: File-> Export-> Save
For Web (Legacy)
Let's Review: Illustrator Essentials (And a Little Bit of Photoshop)
Now It's Your Turn. Create Your Own Illustration

Extra: Remove Text or an Object from a Photo FREE (and fast!)5:25
Here is a free, fast, and easy way to painlessly and professionally remove text or an object from a still image using a free online tool called Fotor. Check it out!
Extra: Timelapse Illustration (In Photoshop) -Review and Case Study1:52
In this case study lesson set to music, I'll show you how I make an illustration using the same techniques in this course, but exclusively in Adobe Photoshop. You can use the techniques from this course in any imaging program. Gimp is also a great choice and is available for free and works on a PC or Mac.
Extra: 5 Easy & Free Tools That Will Free Your Creative Soul10:24
Don't stop at making illustrations in Illustrator. Have a look at some of my favorite FREE and intuitive tools that will have you making social media graphics, web sites, animations, and more. Get a taste of what is possible in under 10 minutes and be up and running ASAP. [This lecture comes from my full course, Skyrocket Your Creativity: 7 Easy Ways.]
Extra: The Only "Evergreen" Tools You Need to Know in Any Imaging Program6:52
Software programs and versions come and go. This video demonstrates the most essential tools you need, regardless of which imaging program you are using. Here are the only tools you need to know that will not change, even 20 years from now.
Extra: Use the Power of Time to Make Better Designs -Case Study (in Photoshop)5:13
In this lecture I'll show how I return to past images to make them better as well as discuss ways you can keep from fussing over making one "perfect" image and driving yourself insane.
Photographer Credit for the Hamster Image0:24
This is how to give credit when you use images that have a Creative Commons Attribution license.

Requirements

This mini course requires no special equipment aside from a computer and an appropriate software program like Illustrator. (Free trials of Illustrator are available from Adobe).

Description

This quick and dirty course will help you make original, custom illustrations using Adobe Illustrator (or any similar program) in just a matter of minutes that look professional and can be used online, in videos and animations, or for print purposes such as on a poster, letterhead, even a T-shirt or other products.

*Please note that free trial versions of Illustrator are available for download from Adobe's website.

Save money making your own illustrations (and stop paying others to do them for you) and develop skills that can help you start making money illustrating for others. You can also use these simple techniques to make unique illustrations as free gifts for friends and family.

You also don't need to know how to draw. There are actually a HUGE number of graphic designers who CAN NOT draw... but they make up for it by using techniques like the ones in this course and naturally, learning more about layout design, composition, color, typography, and other fundamentals of visual literacy.

You can decide how much time you will spend on each illustration which will then affect your end results. As you do more and more, you can be cranking these out in a matter of minutes and could actually make a little illustration business creating these for others on websites like Fiverr, Elance, and other freelancing websites.

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What Students Are Saying:

"What a wonderful course ! Kristen is a great teacher and quickly answers any questions that you might have. I'm really excited about applying the techniques that I've learned in the course." -Diane Falck
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As an educator, I’ve taught at universities and organizations on four continents. I co-founded the Digital Media track of the Communication Program at The American University of Rome, where I taught full-time from 2006, earned tenure in 2009, and led the Film and Digital Media Program from 2013 to 2016. From 2016 to 2019, I expanded my teaching to academic institutions and NGOs in Myanmar, including the groundbreaking American University of Myanmar. Currently, I offer in-person, hybrid, and online courses for individuals, international organizations, and universities.

Since 2000 I've been teaching students all over the world using my tried and true custom approach (turning complex information into something simple, memorable, easy-to-understand in as short amount of time as possible) to ensure that you get the most important, relevant, and useful information that can be applied immediately.

New bonus lectures and resources will continue to be added and timely design advice will be provided in the discussion forum. I love to help and always respond to inquiries and discussions ASAP.

Please Note: All students who enroll in this course also will receive periodic free and discounted access to my other top-rated current and upcoming courses.

You have a 30-day, 100% money-back guarantee with no questions asked so you have nothing to lose. I make myself available so you will have access to me if you have questions or need specific feedback along the way.

Empower yourself now by enrolling in this Illustrator course and join our growing learning community! Click the "Take This Course" button in the upper right corner and let's get started building your illustration, software, and design skills today.

Who this course is for:

This course is for newcomers to Illustrator as well as beginners interested in learning simple and basic techniques for getting started illustrating on the computer.
Advanced traditional fine artists and illustrators looking for ways to take their natural drawing talents from their sketchbooks to a computer environment will appreciate this easy, step by step approach.
Please note this is NOT an in-depth Adobe Illustrator course. Students looking for intermediate to advanced Illustrator training would be better off taking a longer, comprehensive course.

Adobe Illustrator: Create a Quick & Easy Unique Illustration

What you'll learn

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Course content

Introduction4 lectures • 13min

Getting Set Up: All About Copyright Issues, Layers, and Using Photos2 lectures • 9min

Let's Do IT! Make a Custom Illustration in Adobe Illustrator9 lectures • 32min

Extras, Resources, and Conclusion6 lectures • 30min

Conclusion, Thank You, and Next Steps2 lectures • 2min

Requirements

Description

Who this course is for: